QMI Agency

Alex Ovechkin feels like he’s gone from the gutter to the top of the mountain.

The oft-scrutinized Washington Capitals captain was named the NHL’s first star of the week Monday after scoring five goals and three assists in four games from March 19-24.

It’s an achievement the Russian winger stuffed in the faces of his critics.

“Right now I’m scoring goals and I’m the king of the world,” Ovechkin told reporters. “And a couple weeks ago I was almost in the toilet. So maybe you just forget to flush me.”

Ovechkin’s been the target of verbal attacks by some in the media for his declining play. Most recently, he was ripped by hockey analyst Mike Milbury, who told Ovechkin to ‘act like a man, for God’s sake’ on NBC Sports Network last month.

There was a time when winning such an accolade was old hat for the former Hart Memorial Trophy (2008, 2009), Art Ross Trophy (2008) and Maurice Richard Trouphy (2008, 2009) winner.

“It feels normal. Like a long time,” he said of this week’s achievement. “It feels kind of exciting.”

Ovechkin is on a five-game goal streak heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Islanders and the Caps captain is hoping his luck will last.

“Sometimes it’s just a lucky shot, sometimes it’s a lucky bounce,” Ovechkin said. “Linemates have to do a very good job to find me. They did and I just have to put puck in the net.”

Ovechkin has 16 goals and 15 assists in 32 games this season. His recent surge in production has launched the Caps to 10th place in the Eastern Conference, two points back of the eigth-place New York Rangers.